protecting animals & helping people by supporting the SDGs

IFAW supports the SDGs and believes in the value of animal welfare and habitat conservation in creating a more just and sustainable future for all. Healthy wildlife populations and ecosystems contribute significantly to the achievement of these goals as they are important avenues to improve both human and animal lives. We raise awareness of the connections between animal welfare, conservation, and human development to inspire greater collaboration to improve conditions for all species and the planet.

climate action

Climate change is causing social, economic, and environmental impacts and less developed countries are frequently more vulnerable. IFAW works to address climate change by integrating nature conservation into climate change mitigation and adaption policies. IFAW's Disaster Response & Risk Reduction team works with communities worldwide to develop national and local disaster plans for people and animals to enable communities to effectively prepare for and respond to natural disasters. 

You can read more here: 

• the solid connection between biodiversity and climate change 
• slowing down ships brings benefits to the climate, whales and the marine ecosystem
  

life below water

As humans, we need to take care to conserve and sustainably use resources from oceans, seas, and coastal areas. Marine resources are critical for many communities that rely on them for food security and livelihoods, and for wildlife who call these areas home. IFAW's North Atlantic right whale project seeks to protect the critically endangered right whale, while also working with lobster fishing communities to utilize ropeless fishing gear that prevents whale entanglements and allows fishing communities to continue pursuing marine livelihoods sustainably.

life on land

Land degradation and desertification can be combatted by restoring terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity. Wildlife and their habitats support both healthy ecosystems and our communities by contributing to water quality, food security, and natural disaster risk reduction.

IFAW works across many countries to protect species from poaching and habitats from degradation. By initiating beekeeping as an alternative livelihood in China, community members have become advocates for elephant protection, promising not to destroy the local forest or capture wild animals. In South America, we are combatting illegal wildlife trade to protect jaguars, so they can continue to play their vital role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. In Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe, through our Room to Roam initiative, we safeguard core wildlife habitats in order to create safe corridors for elephants and other wildlife to migrate or move freely across park boundaries and international borders. 

Find out more about our projects protecting wildlife and habitats around the world.